The subtext of political debate these days is that the United States is in decline - a proposition often portrayed as self-evident. The economy lacks dynamism; unemployment near 8 percent remains at recession levels. The president and his Republican critics barely talk to each other; stalemate seems unending. But what if America isn't in decline? A powerful rebuttal comes from an unlikely place: Wall Street.

In a report to clients, analysts at Goldman Sachs argue that the United States still has the world's strongest economy - and will have for years. There is a growing "awareness of the key economic, institutional, human capital and geopolitical advantages the U.S. enjoys over other economies," contend Goldman's analysts.

As proof, they deploy voluminous facts. For starters, the U.S. economy is still the world's largest by a long shot. Gross domestic product (GDP) is almost $16 trillion, "nearly double the second largest (China), 2.5 times the third largest (Japan)." Per capita GDP is about $50,000; although 10 other countries have higher figures, most of the countries are small - say, Luxembourg. The size of the U.S. market makes it an attractive investment location.

Next, natural resources. In a world ravenous for food and energy, the United States has plenty of both. Its arable land is five times China's and nearly twice Brazil's. The advances in "fracking" and horizontal drilling have opened vast natural gas and oil reserves that, until recently, seemed too expensive to develop. The International Energy Agency predicts that the United States will become the world's largest oil producer - albeit temporarily - by 2020.

When half the Roman Empire 'fell' it was saved by adjacent German kingdoms interested in keeping it in business. Alas, decades later in 535 there was a ginormous weather anomaly in Northern and Western Europe ~ Central Asia ~ East Asia that took those formerly prosperous lands out of the running for civilization of the millenium.

Cornwall invaded Francia and took over ~ having missed the brunt of the weather problem ~ and eventually, in the deceptive guise of Castile and Leon (Castle and Lion) pushed the Moors back to North Africa about 700 years later.

Actually that just underscores how bad it became ~ when Cornwall is whipping your tail that means you are dead!

The question is whether or not America is in decline ~ politically and socially it undoubtedly is in the pits ~ but that's mostly due to misuse of narcotics and other controlled substances by minority groups.

The real issue is the extent to which mechanization, automation, computerization, robotics and improved work methods are replacing HUMAN BEINGS with MACHINES, and it's actually pretty fast.

Before this is over the USA will be the world's lowest cost producer of everything but potato chips. I do believe the foreigners are catching up with us there.

The question is whether or not America is in decline ~ politically and socially it undoubtedly is in the pits ~ but that's mostly due to misuse of narcotics and other controlled substances by minority groups.

The real issue is the extent to which mechanization, automation, computerization, robotics and improved work methods are replacing HUMAN BEINGS with MACHINES, and it's actually pretty fast.

Before this is over the USA will be the world's lowest cost producer of everything but potato chips. I do believe the foreigners are catching up with us there.

It is the right question. It is in decline compared to what it used to be because of worsening demographics, libtardism, and worsening education. It is decaying because of its assault on capital accumulation by confiscatory taxes, inflation, high government spending with its huge budget deficits, regulations, and pro-union legislation. For examples, look at the decaying rust belt and the decaying infrastructure.

Of course the US in decline. Going the way ancient Rome and the formerly great powers of Europe. All the signs are there: Ageing population, declining birthrates, restless and growing minority populations, a decaying military establishment, rising secularism, declining church attendance, abortion on demand, redefinition of marriage and family, a thoroughly disgusting popular culture (Hollyweird), a slavishly partisan news media, excessively powerful public service unions, an intensely partisan news media, deteriorating education standards and achievements, a nihilist population which mutilates itself with ghastly tattoos and piercings, REAL unemployment closer to 16%, vast numbers of people dependent on unemployment insurance, Food Stamps, and Disability as well as other entitlements, radical environmentalists shutting down domestic energy production, millions of babies born out of wedlock, decline of traditional marriage and family structures, spending completely and totally out of control, $16 trillion in national debt——a figure sooooooooooooooo horrendous most people (including me) cannot even truly fathom the significance of such a totally insane and unsustainable number. We are going to hell. I hope Jesus comes soon. In the name of God amen.

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